6. Fallout 76
Developer/Publisher: Bethesda | Release: November 14, 2018 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S | Shop: PS Store | Microsoft Store | Steam
What is Fallout 76 about? Fallout 76 takes place after a fictional nuclear war that nearly destroyed the world. You play as a survivor who was placed in a “Vault”, a giant bunker.
Your Vault 76 has now been opened as one of the first, and you have the task of rebuilding America. You start in West Virginia, in the region of Appalachia, where Fallout 76 takes place.
What does Fallout 76 do well?
- A lovingly designed, detailed world that can be explored for hours
- An eccentric humor that sets the game apart from other representatives of the genre, shown in some very quirky locations
- Equipment modifications and Perks allow for character customization that is refreshingly comprehensive for the survival genre
- A friendly community, that gladly and often helps newcomers
Who is Fallout 76 suitable for? Especially explorers will enjoy Fallout 76. The world is one of the best features of the game and has a lot to offer if you are willing to look around. This particularly appeals to single players with a sense of exploration, but group players can also have fun with friends.
7. No Man’s Sky
Developer/Publisher: Hello Games | Release: August 12, 2016 | Model: Buy-to-Play | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S | Shop: No Man’s Sky Shop | Steam | PS Store | Microsoft Store
What is No Man’s Sky about? In No Man’s Sky, you have access to a vast world in space where you can discover over 18 trillion planets and unknown species, craft, and build your spaceship.
No Man’s Sky is basically the epitome of an “Open World” and has even supported a multiplayer aspect since the NEXT update, which has further expanded the game. In the meantime, the game is even getting closer to being an MMO.
With the “Voyager” update released in August 2025, a fully customizable spaceship and new quests have been added, significantly expanding the game.
What makes No Man’s Sky so good?
- A huge world that is virtually never-ending and always has something new to discover
- Detailed environments and beautiful graphics that invite admiration
- Your own spaceship and even pets
Who is No Man’s Sky suitable for? Those waiting for Star Citizen can already experience a vast space saga with No Man’s Sky. The game offers all conceivable freedoms. Additionally, the space environment and alien planets are particularly rewarding for sci-fi fans. So if you want to fully immerse yourself in a sci-fi survival game, you’ll find your game with No Man’s Sky.
8. Sons of the Forest
Developer/Publisher: Endnight Games | Release: February 23, 2023 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: PC| Shop: Steam
What is Sons of the Forest? In the sequel to the acclaimed The Forest, you return to the island many years after the events of the first part – this time apparently as Timmy, who was saved in part 1. Your mission: find a billionaire and his daughter.
Similar to the first part, you will crash and first need to survive in the forest. Once that is accomplished, you can return to your mission. While exploring the island, you will come across more and more clues about what the whole mystery, mutants, and strange incidents are about. However, the story is not for the faint-hearted.
What Sons of the Forest does well:
- Grotesque, disfigured enemies that could come from a top-notch horror movie
- A story with different endings that are influenced by your choices
- Unique horror elements that add a thrill to survival
The Forest has better ratings on Steam, but Sons of the Forest is the technically superior game and is still being developed. Therefore, you will find Sons of the Forest here in the list.
The twist in Sons of the Forest: You play the same story every session again. Whether alone or with friends, your goal is always the same.
Nevertheless, you can let loose on the island, build and craft and even find companions who will help you with building and combat. Sons of the Forest expands on the systems that were already strong in the predecessor.
Who is Sons of the Forest for? Sons of the Forest primarily targets horror fans who want to feel fear and panic as constant companions in a game. The convincing atmosphere and unique creatures like wild ones wearing masks made from human faces leave even hardened players trembling.
The game captures you not with endlessly long building sessions but with gripping action and a foreseeable end to the story, while builders can still indulge their passion. The game is aimed at an adult community.
9. Palworld
Developer/Publisher: Pocketpair | Release: January 19, 2024 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: PC (Steam), Xbox
What is Palworld? Pokémon with guns. That’s probably the most accurate description of Palworld and the absolute surprise hit of 2024. Similar to Valheim back in the day, Palworld picked up masses of players and had over 1 million players on Steam alone at release – shortly thereafter it doubled.
You collect the titular Pals in Palworld and … make them work for you, using not exactly friendly methods. You can equip the cute companions with firearms and let them fight for you.
At its core, the game is a sandbox game where you can explore and catch new Pals, but you must be careful not to starve. If in doubt, you can simply eat your Pals.
What Palworld does well:
- Basically a real Pokémon MMO, just significantly more aimed at an adult audience and with quite macabre humor
- Strong mix of exploration, combat, and building, yet with important survival mechanics like hunger
- Quite easy entry, which you can even attempt with friends
Who is Palworld suitable for? If you’re looking for a survival game in timeless comic graphics and want to reminisce about older games, but definitely want an adult approach, Palworld is just your game.
Especially the mix of cute companions with crazy shooter mechanics makes Palworld a unique gameplay experience. The success is based, by the way, on one guy who actually works part-time in a general store.
By now, Palworld has also received several major free expansions in Early Access:
- With Sakurajima came the first free expansion for Palworld with a new island and new Pals.
- The free Feybreak expansion for Palworld, which also brought a new island and several improvements, followed.
- With the Tides of Terraria update, came a collaboration with Terraria and thus new monsters and more Pals.
10. Rust
Developer/Publisher: Facepunch Studios | Release: February 2018 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: Windows (PC), MacOS X, Linux; PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S | Shop: Steam
What is Rust? Rust has no real story. You wake up naked on a beach, only equipped with a stone as a weapon and tool, and need to survive. To do this, you gather various resources, loot abandoned buildings, and avoid stronger players.
Rust is a classic PvP survival game where other players are your biggest threat. At the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, the game received a huge boost in popularity, when 50 streamers played Rust together – interrupted only by a bad guy.
Since May 2021, Rust is also available for Xbox One and PS4 – however, those who own the new generation of consoles can also play thanks to backward compatibility.
What Rust does well:
- A simple game principle that everyone can quickly get used to
- Each building part and each weapon is a clear progression towards your set goals
- Special vehicles like hot air balloons and boats, which give Rust a unique feature
- A large, active, and slightly eccentric community
Who is Rust suitable for? Clearly for PvP enthusiasts. You should only play Rust if you enjoy shooting at others with all kinds of weapons and have no problem dying frequently. Especially in larger teams, Rust is fun since surviving alone is virtually impossible in the long run. Clan battles provide constant action. If you don’t want to keep getting into fights with other players, you should stay away from Rust.
